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Safe Storage and Disposal of Opioids and Other Medications

Be a Part of the Solution!

Why is it important to safely store your medications and dispose of unwanted or unused drugs?

  • Young children and pets accidentally ingest medications found around the home, leading to potential poisoning.

  • Teenagers and young adults are abusing medications—some taken right from their parents’ or grandparents’ medicine cabinet.

  • Nearly 1 in 4 teens report taking a prescription drug not prescribed to them by a doctor.

  • Seniors can mistakenly take incompatible medication or take expired drugs that may be harmful to them.

You can be a part of the solution.

LOCK UP your medications.

Keep medications out of sight in a safe, secure place.

MONITOR your medication.

Keep track of medication and take only as directed.

DISPOSE of unused medications.

Scroll down for more information on disposal options and local medication disposal locations. For more information on convenient disposal locations, visit:

How to Safely Dispose of Unused Medications

1. Check the Package
If there are specific instructions for disposal on the label, package, or package insert, please follow those instructions. Do not flush medications down the toilet unless specifically instructed to do so.

2. Convenient Kiosks
To find convenient kiosks for safe disposal of medications in your area, consult our list, or visit www.med-project.org for more information.

3. Mail-Back
Mail-back services are available in your area. Visit the mail-back section of www.med-project.org to order a mail-back package.

4. In-Home Disposal
Remove medication from its original container and mix with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds, dirt, or kitty litter. Place the mixture in a sealable bag, empty can, or other container and throw in your household trash.

5. Dispose of needles safely.
Do not recycle needles or throw them in the trash or toilet. For local guidance on sharps disposal in California and to locate container disposal options near you, visit: safeneedledisposal.org.

Santa Barbara Area Safe Drug Disposal Locations

Rite Aid 05788 (and most Rite Aid pharmacies)
35 South Milpas St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 965-0787

CVS Pharmacy #09392 (and most CVS Pharmacies)
1109 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 564-3267

Sansum Clinic Prescription Pharmacy at Pueblo
317 West Pueblo St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 682-6507

Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy 0793
3605 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 687-1376

San Ysidro Pharmacy
1498 E. Valley Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-2284

Santa Barbara Health Care Center
345 Camino del Remedio, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 681-5300

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
Coastal Bureau Sheriff’s Station
5775 Carpenteria Ave., Carpenteria, CA 93013
(805) 568-3399

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
Isla Vista Foot Patrol
6504 Trigo Rd,  Isla Vista, CA 93117
(805) 681-4100 (call before you go)


For more locations countywide, visit www.medproject.org

How to Safely Dispose of Unused Medications

1. Check the Package
If there are specific instructions for disposal on the label, package, or package insert, please follow those instructions. Do not flush medications down the toilet unless specifically instructed to do so.

2. Convenient Kiosks
To find convenient kiosks for safe disposal of medications in your area, consult our list, or visit www.med-project.org for more information.

3. Mail-Back
Mail-back services are available in your area. Visit the mail-back section of www.med-project.org to order a mail-back package.

4. In-Home Disposal
Remove medication from its original container and mix with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds, dirt, or kitty litter. Place the mixture in a sealable bag, empty can, or other container and throw in your household trash.

5. Dispose of needles safely.
Do not recycle needles or throw them in the trash or toilet. For local guidance on sharps disposal in California and to locate container disposal options near you, visit: safeneedledisposal.org.

Santa Barbara Area Safe Drug Disposal Locations

Rite Aid
05788 (and most Rite Aid pharmacies)
35 South Milpas St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 965-0787

CVS Pharmacy
#09392 (and most CVS Pharmacies)
1109 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 564-3267

Sansum Clinic Prescription Pharmacy at Pueblo
317 West Pueblo St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 682-6507

Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy 0793
3605 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 687-1376

San Ysidro Pharmacy
1498 E. Valley Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-2284

Santa Barbara Health Care Center
345 Camino del Remedio
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 681-5300

Santa Barbara County
Sheriff’s Office
Coastal Bureau Sheriff’s Station
5775 Carpenteria Ave.
Carpenteria, CA 93013
(805) 568-3399

Santa Barbara County
Sheriff’s Office
Isla Vista Foot Patrol
6504 Trigo Rd.
Isla Vista, CA 93117
(805) 681-4100 (call before you go)


For more locations countywide, visit www.medproject.org